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Dan Avenarius
Director of Distance Learning

Master of Science in Criminal Justice, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Loras College

Professional Experience
Dan was a sworn officer with the Dubuque Police Department in Iowa, beginning his career in October 1977 and retiring in June 2007. He served as a Patrol Officer, Corporal with the Staff Bureau Division, and ended his career serving as a Lieutenant assigned to Staff Bureau as the Training Supervisor. After retiring from the police department, Dan served as Academic Dean of the Business and Computer Science Department for Northeast Iowa Community College from July 2007 until November 2011. In November 2011, Dan was appointed as the Director of the Distance Learning Center.

Personal Information
Dan encourages anyone who is considering a degree through an online program to keep the big picture in mind as they work through the program. “Obviously they started pursuing their degree for a specific purpose,” he says. “Along the way, they may have to confront obstacles that they never felt they would encounter, e.g., change in family situations, a death of a close relative, joyous occasion, changes in work assignments, etc. However, if you really want to achieve your goal of obtaining a degree, then perseverance is the key.”